>> Why does anyone really think we invaded Iraq ? I mean, really ?
I don't think it was a single reason, and this much was clear when the admin was making its case. There were 4 major factors/factions involved:
*. Israeli Interests and Neoconian Dogma: Perle, Faith, and Wolfowitz had all produced position papers for Israel that called for military overthrow of Saddam and replacement of Iraqi regime with a Hashemite dynasty. Hashemite are the ruling clan in Jordan, that is the most Israel friendly state. Their papers clearly called for a rewarding "friends" and destroying "enemies". This plan was turned down in Israel but was reincarnated into US DoD. The original paper was so extreme that Clinton ordered its modification before it can be presented. So in effect, this invasion was a plan in works for many years.
*. Big Oil Interests: This is the obvious one. The political climate in US did not allow change of laws that prohibited US access to Iraqi oil. So while Total and GazProm were making deals, US oil companies were left out and were unhappy about this. With an estimated second largest oil reserves and world's largest natural gas reserves, we are not talking about chum change here.
*. Realist Geopolitics: Invading Iraq would allow for creation of a strong US military presence in Persian Gulf right next door to Iran, Syria, and Saudi where power could be projected (read coercion could achieved) easily. It would also provide for other Realist ideas such as removing US forces from Saudi Arabia and hence remedying one of the causes of Muslim discontent.
*. Christian Right: Expansion of Christianity, crusade with Muslims, bringing about the Second Coming by helping Israel become the Greater Israel and the Temple rebuilt, etc.
All this was made even more attractive because the whole venture seemed like a cakewalk and the costs could be remedied through some form of Oil-for-Invasion program. This is all a matter of public record if you care to Google the pre-invasion discussions (or even just go back in time in this thread).
This venture however was doomed from the start. Few, including myself, tried to point out that these supporting groups are simply a marriage of convenience with very different interests. Therefore the probability is high that soon after the invasion the alliance will fall apart. Worse, as the administration will try to cater to all these interests, it will be unable to form a coherent and effective policy towards Iraq.
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